Model year 2026 · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2026 Buick Encore: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2026 Buick Encore at 27–30 mpg combined across 3 versions. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 4 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

1

EPA combined mpg

27–30

NHTSA overall rating

5/5

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT

NHTSA lists this vehicle as ENCORE GX.

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Buick dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2026 Buick Encore recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 1 safety recall for the 2026 Buick Encore, newest first.

Back over prevention: Sensing system: Camera

NHTSA 26V539000 Reported Aug 20, 2026
Filed by
General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. A262554900)
Units affected
306,511 (estimate)
Problem
General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2024-2025 Buick Envista, 2024-2026 Buick Encore GX, Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2025 Chevrolet Trax vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.
Risk
A rearview image that does not display correctly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera, if necessary, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 17, 2026. Another letter will be mailed once the parts are available. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is A262554900. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 20, 2026.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2026 Buick Encore fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2026 Buick Encore EPA fuel economy
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveFuelCity/Hwy/CombFuel cost/yrCO2 g/mi
Encore GX AWD1.3L 3-cyl turboAutomatic 9-spdAll-Wheel DriveRegular26/28/27 mpg$2,500327
Encore GX FWD1.3L 3-cyl turboAutomaticFront-Wheel DriveRegular29/31/30 mpg$2,250297
Encore GX FWD FFV1.2L 3-cyl turbo ffvAutomaticFront-Wheel DriveGasoline or E85 / E8530/31/30 mpg$2,250297

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2026 Buick Encore crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2026 Buick Encore NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicleOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover riskForward collision warning
2026 BUICK ENCORE GX SUV N/A AWDNot rated5 starsNot rated4 stars17.9%Standard
2026 BUICK ENCORE GX SUV N/A AWD EARLY RELEASE5 stars5 stars5 stars4 stars17.9%Standard
2026 BUICK ENCORE GX SUV N/A FWDNot rated5 starsNot rated4 stars18.5%Standard
2026 BUICK ENCORE GX SUV N/A FWD EARLY RELEASE5 stars5 stars5 stars4 stars18.5%Standard

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2026 Buick Encore owner complaints

Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2026 Buick Encore, most recently on Aug 25, 2026. 1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2026 Buick Encore complaints
Component named in complaintsMentions
Engine3
Electrical system1
Steering1
Vehicle speed control1

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Buick Encore model years

Buick Encore by model year
YearCombinedRecallsComplaintsOverall rating
2025 Encore27–30 mpg1155/5
2024 Encore27–30 mpg2335/5
2023 Encore27–30 mpg0285/5
2022 Encore26–30 mpg1425/5
2021 Encore26–31 mpg2625/5
2020 Encore26–31 mpg4895/5
2019 Encore26–28 mpg2885/5
2018 Encore27–30 mpg0745/5
2017 Encore27–30 mpg2905/5
2016 Encore26–30 mpg2805/5
2015 Encore26–28 mpg41245/5

All Buick Encore years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2026 Buick models

2026 Buick Enclave2026 Buick Envision2026 Buick Envista

Sources

  • Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
  • Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
  • Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
  • Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
  • NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Buick.